Fences

Consider the character of Gabriel and his actions and dialogue in the play. Do you think that Gabriel is really an angel, or is he simply a man with a brain injury? Remember, the world of the play is fiction and does not have to be entirely realistic. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

In the last scene of the play, Rose tells Cory that he is just like his father. Why do you think she says that? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Troy mentions “the devil” a few times in the play. How would you characterize his understanding of “the devil”? How does this understanding relate to his characterization of “Death”?

What do you think the fence represents in the play? What is the significance of the fact that Cory and Troy are meant to build it together? How about the timing of when the fence is actually built?

At the end of the play, Rose describes Troy’s death. He was practicing swinging the bat and fell over with a smile on his face. Why do you think Troy was smiling? What does Troy’s death mean to his family?

Rose tells Cory that Troy tried to do mostly good in his life. Examine Troy’s actions in the play. Do you agree? How would you describe Troy as a character? Do you think he is a moral and ethical person?

Who do you think is the protagonist of the play? Why? Who is the antagonist? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

When Troy tells stories, Rose interjects and calls him out for lying or embellishing the truth. Choose one of those stories and analyze it. What do you think is the point of the story? What do you think is true? What is exaggerated?